"In depicting the medal, Joseph Sheppard chose the theme of inspiration and creativity--the artist at work. His message is that creativity is not happenstance; it is the product of constancy and discipline.

Sheppard wrote, 'A creative idea can hit like a bolt of lightning out of the blue, or appear in the middle of a dream, but for most creative people inspiration comes from the habit of constant labor. One project gives birth to another. The artist does not wait for commissions or clients, but creates everyday, keeping him conscious of the many difficulties as well as keeping him close to the creative forces. My medal shows the sculptor contemplating a block of marble and the figure suggests to him. The second side shows the figure emerging from the stone as the sculptor chops away the excess marble.' " ("Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture", Beatrice Gilman Proske, 1968).

Home Location

Storage

Makers mark

c MEDALLIC ART CO. BRONZE

Material

Bronze

Medium

Metal/bronze/struck

Object ID

S.1991.003

Object Name

Medal

Recfrom

Commissioned by the Trustees

Signed Name

JS 90 / Sheppard 90

Sub-category

Art

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